Journalism and Public Information Programme on New Threats

Reporting and Communicating on CBRN risks

Overview

UNICRI’s Reporting and Communicating on CBRN Risks Programme aims to provide media and public relations professionals, as well as those planning a career in public information, with a deeper understanding of new security threats to states and citizens. The focus of the programme is on how to report and communicate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks of a criminal, accidental or natural origin.

Information is one of our most powerful tools: it influences political decision-making and public opinion, establishing priorities and shaping the agenda of the international community. It reaches a wide-ranging audience instantly and provokes equally rapid reactions. This makes journalism and public information dissemination fundamental components in dealing with threats and complex security issues.

During and following CBRN emergencies, precise information is critical to generate appropriate levels of concern from governments and civil society. Public information professionals and journalists have to address priority issues that require a deep understanding and level of specialization to report on new technological advances and globalization trends.

Over the three-day workshop participants will deepen their knowledge of criminal use and accidents related to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material. Journalists and public information professionals will focus on the tangible risks related to illegally developed, acquired, trafficked and used CBRN materials. Participants will meet and debate with security and crisis management experts at a global level from the main international organizations as well as experienced media professionals, enlarging their professional network in a select environment.

This workshop is conducted under the framework of the CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance Programme.